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England manager likens opponents to Arsenal: Is this a potential banana skin?

Let’s face it England supporters, for most of your team’s matches, you probably couldn’t name three players in the opposition side. That’s because the vast majority of World Cup qualifying games are against little-known teams from eastern Europe. However, unlike England, their total sum is greater than their individual parts, and that can certainly be said of Belarus.

Aside from Alexander Hleb, who else can you name in the team that will face the Three Lions on Wednesday? Nevertheless, they beat Holland 2-1 in qualifying for Euro 2008, so should be underestimated at their peril. Setanta reports that Fabio Capello is certainly not treating the assignment lightly, comparing England’s opponents with a certain Premier League club.

“They are not conservative at all,” he said. “They move all over, like Arsenal, and pass the ball a lot.

“Belarus are a very dangerous side and this game will not be easy.”

Perhaps it will be advantageous for England, if indeed the Belarusians do come forth and attack the visitors. After all, Capello’s men had plenty of joy soaking up the Croatian attack before countering to great effect in Zagreb. Nevertheless, this is a match which has banana skin written all over it, will England come through unscathed? Or will the Arsenal-like Belarus spring another surprise?